Types of Asbestos

All six types of asbestos occur naturally as bundles of thin and durable fibres. They are resistant to heat, fire chemicals, electrical conductivity and chemical vapors. They also have outstanding tensile strength and wear. Asbestos can be found in a variety of products, including floor tiles and insulation, paint, and fabric that is heat-resistant.

Chrysotile

Chrysotile is also known as white asbestos was the most widely used form of the mineral used in thousands of different products prior to its ban in the 1980s. It was used because it was fireproof, cheap and long-lasting. It was later discovered to be extremely harmful and linked to mesothelioma-related diseases. While some countries still employ asbestos, a complete worldwide ban is needed now.

Health experts continue to warn that asbestos in all its forms, including chrysotile. carcinogenic and that no amount of exposure can be considered safe. Companies who mine and sell asbestos claim that chrysotile's safety is better than earlier versions of the mineral because it is tightly packaged and is non-friable.

This kind of asbestos is not as dangerous than amphibole asbestos types however it is hazardous for workers to work with. Chrysotile is the most commonly mined asbestos and is responsible for the majority of mesothelioma cancer cases in the world. Chrysotile, a gold-colored brownish mineral that is soft and appears like threads is a fibrous minerals. Under an electron microscope, the fibers look like tubes and are composed of structural layers of the mineral rolled in a spiral.

Chrysotile is known to trigger numerous diseases, including pleural mesothelioma and lung cancer. It has also been linked to gastrointestinal issues and cardiovascular diseases. People who work with chrysotile have a greater chance of being at risk for developing these diseases because they are in constant contact with the mineral. Asbestos chrysotile used to be extensively used in construction and automobile repair. It can be found in older houses and vehicles.

Amosite

Asbest is composed of six different types of fibrous silicate minerals. Each mineral has its specific chemical composition and properties and all six are associated with an increased risk of mesothelioma. They include the amphibole and serpentine minerals Chrysotile (white asbestos) and crocidolite. They also include amosite and anthophyllite as well as tremolite.

Chrysotile is by far the most widely used type of asbestos in the United States. It is still present in the walls, roofs and floors of many businesses and homes. It was also used for thermal insulation, gaskets, and Asbestos law boiler seals in automobiles. Other asbestos products that contain chrysotile include shingles as well as cement sheets and pipe insulation.

Inhaling any form of asbestos is risky. Exposure to asbestos in any form can cause lung cancer, pleural diseases and mesothelioma. Exposure to asbestos is most often caused by inhalation, but can also be caused through the handling or work with fibres. The risk of exposure is particularly high if the materials are friable which means they can break easily and are able to be blown into the air as dust particles.

Friability is a result of the length and the thickness of the fibers. Thicker and longer fibres will be more likely to penetrate deep into the lungs, while thinner and shorter fibres are less likely to do this.

The most common exposure to asbestos is often when workers remove or handle it. This is due to asbestos being a fine material and can be released into the air as dust when it is crushed or sanded. When asbestos is swept or vacuumed, it may release small fibres into the air. This is because a sweeping process could cause the fibres to break up when vacuuming them, while causing them to stick to other surfaces.

Crocidolite

Contrary to the serpentine asbestos (chrysotile) the amphibole asbestos has long straight chain-like fibres which are brittle and more hazardous when inhaled. Crocidolite (blue asbestos) amosite (brown asbestos) and Tremolite (red asbestos) are the most well-known amphibole asbestos, but also exist in other forms such as anthophyllite and actinolite. These asbestos types are commonly found in natural deposits as well as the chrysotile asbestos. These other asbestos minerals may be contaminants in crocidolite, and mixed with chrysotile in the deposit.

Asbestos can be found in a variety products, including asbestos cement pipe sheets, sheets, friction materials used for coatings, brakes for cars, and gaskets. The fibres are weaved into fabric, paper, thread, mastics or bonded with Portland cement, resins or plastics. The size and length of the fibres determine the most appropriate application. The shorter fibres can be used for textiles, electrical insulation, filters, and flooring, while the longer ones are used for asbestos cement pipes, sheets and flooring.

Numerous studies have demonstrated an association between exposure to asbestos and stomach cancer. The findings of these studies differ, however, and the conclusions are limited by the comparatively limited literature on this subject. The risk of developing stomach cancer is believed to increase with increasing cumulative exposure to asbestos. The risk is decreased when the latency of the first exposure is taken into consideration.

Other forms of asbestos are implicated in the development of mesothelioma (a malignant tumor that affects the abdominal lining and chest). Children exposed to asbestos are more likely to develop mesothelioma. The reason isn't clear.

Lung cancer

Lung cancer is among the most common diseases caused by cary asbestos. It is caused by asbestos exposure for a long time and is more dangerous than any other asbestos related disease. It affects the lungs, and sometimes other organs such as the stomach, the heart and bladder. It could also cause mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer that affects the lining of the lungs.

Asbestos is made up of six naturally occurring fibrous silicic minerals. It is found in many different products and was extensively used in construction, but has now been banned due to its harmful effects.

Most people are not afflicted by low levels of airborne asbestos. However, those that do get sick are usually exposed regularly to Asbestos Law during a specific job, and usually for a long period of time. The most frequent jobs that are exposed to asbestos include mining, shipbuilding and construction. In recent years, federal regulations have reduced the use and prevalence of asbestos in buildings. However, it is still present in older household products such as children's toys and crayons.

All forms of asbestos could cause lung conditions such as mesothelioma or asbestosis as well as other diseases. Chrysotile asbestos is the most commonly recognized kind of asbestos. Other asbestos types include amphibole and crocidolite.

When asbestos-containing materials are disturbed they release microscopic fibers that become airborne and can be inhaled. When inhaled, these fibres can become trapped deep within the lungs. The asbestos fibres may cause scarring and inflammation of the lungs. This can cause lung cancer mesothelioma and other conditions that can take years to develop. Other factors that increase the chance of developing an asbestos-related disease include smoking and having a family history of the condition.

Mesothelioma

When asbestos is used for the production of insulation or in the construction of homes and buildings, it releases tiny asbestos fibers into air. These fibers may be inhaled, or swallowed and cause serious health conditions like mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma can be described as a cancer that is found in the organ's lining known as the mesothelium. Mesothelioma tends to be found in the lung lining and abdomen. In some instances it may also manifest in the lining of the heart (pericardium mesothelioma) or testicles (tunica vaginalis mesothelioma).

Asbestos victims are most likely to develop mesothelioma as a result of exposure to asbestos at work. However, the family members of asbestos workers are also at risk of developing mesothelioma. It can be difficult to determine mesothelioma due to the fact that the symptoms are not specific and often resemble those of other diseases. Mesothelioma is often misdiagnosed and sufferers may not receive the treatment they need.

A visit to your doctor is the first step to diagnosing mesothelioma. The doctor will inquire about your medical background as well as any asbestos exposure. This will allow them to determine if you're at a higher risk for the disease.

Your doctor will determine what type of mesothelioma in your body when a mesothelioma diagnosis is made. Pleural mesothelioma, the most frequent type of this disease and accounts for about 80percent of all mesothelioma diagnosis each year. Other types include peritoneal and rare biphasic mesothelioma which contains epithelioid aswell as sarcomatoid cancer cells. The type of mesothelioma can help your doctor decide on the best treatment options for you. Treatment can improve your odds of survival, based on the type and the location of your mesothelioma.